The cool season brings with it the renewal of the mind and body—gone are the long, hot summer days, at least for the foreseeable future. So what better time to get out into your yard and examine the state of your irrigation system? As Water Conservation Specialists, we often see overwatering of the landscape in the fall months. Plants simply …
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I hear the whirring of the lawn mowers and see the dust in the air. It’s overseeding season! It’s a familiar scene in neighborhoods across the Valley every fall… the sound of a roaring lawn mower trailed by a cloud of dust. Immersed in the dusty fog is a homeowner or landscaper engaged in the seasonal ritual of scalping a …
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By: Cass Turnbull, PlantAmnesty Founder/President I invented and have run a nonprofit to end bad pruning (mostly tree topping and unsustainable shearing) for 26 years. During that time I’ve written a lot about the topic: why topping and shearing are bad, how to prune selectively, why grounds crews won’t selectively prune, how to change pruning practices and how I came to …
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Back when George H. W. Bush was president, the U.S. Congress passed a law that has helped the country conserve its water supply as we face drought and climate change. There was nothing glamorous about the law, but its impact was dramatic. The law, written and championed by Massachusetts engineer Amy Vickers, changed the amount of water that could be …
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Many valley cities are offering you cash! Cash for your grass that is! The purpose of a grass-to-Xeriscape program is to help customers reduce their landscape water use by half or more by replacing their water-thirsty lawns with landscape plants more suitable for our Sonoran Desert climate. What does Xeriscape mean? Xeriscape (zeer-a-scape) is a term that defines a creative approach to landscaping that …
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The second annual Water – Use It Wisely photo contest is a wrap, and we have a winner! After reviewing over 1,000 incredible images celebrating water throughout Arizona, Dave C’s photo of a post-rain scene in Boulder Canyon was a drop above the rest. “The celebration of water in a climate like ours can be very different for each person. …
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Many homeowners prefer a lawn close to the house that may provide a recreational or play area for children or pets, a relaxing place for lawn chairs and family gatherings and to create a cooling effect. Lawns can be functional and their root mass provides erosion control and helps to filter, capture and break down pollutants. In fact, a practical …
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July is not only Smart Irrigation Month, but it’s also our summer monsoon season. There’s no better time to talk about rainwater harvesting. Here are our best reasons to take advantage of this great resource. 1. Rain is free Wouldn’t it be great if water just fell out of the sky? Okay, I’m kidding… it’s hard to imagine that right …
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July is typically the month of peak water demand for landscapes in Arizona. The Irrigation Association named July as Smart Irrigation Month to increase awareness about simple practices and innovative technologies for homeowners. By planting low-water-use plants, watering efficiently, and maintaining and upgrading automated irrigation systems, you can save money, save water and see better results. Here are some tips …
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Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden shows that saving water can be beautiful. It’s a common mispronunciation, but it’s also a telling Freudian slip: saying “zeroscape” instead of “xeriscape” (pronounced ZEER-escape). To xeriscape is to design a garden that conserves water through the use of drought-tolerant plants grouped according to water needs, water-collection systems, mulch, non-wasteful irrigation, and other commonsense yet once-radical gardening …
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What can 650 college students, 100 veterans, and 150 community leaders accomplish in just three hours? They can turn a vacant lot into a neighborhood educational venue. In March, former President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton brought together students from across the country and around the world to Arizona State University to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI …
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In a state full of picturesque landscapes, the most lasting images are the ones that feature water. From canyon streams to shimmering lakes, morning dew on ponderosas to rain puddles in backyards, something about capturing water scenes in Arizona inspires awe. For the second annual Water – Use It Wisely Celebrate AZ Water Photo Contest, we’re once again putting the …
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